What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPolyacrylate-13
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Palmitic Acid
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Adenosine, Sucrose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Hydrolyzed Collagen 71%
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin Conditioning2-Hexanol
PerfumingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolyacrylate-13
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantPullulan
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCalcium Disodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Royal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingCitrus Aurantium Flower Extract
PerfumingNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen 71%, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Water, 2-Hexanol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trehalose, Polysorbate 20, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Polyacrylate-13, Xanthan Gum, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Pullulan, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Propolis Extract, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Extract, Beta-Glucan, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water